Winemakers evaluate Napa earthquake damage

'A lake of wine': Big blow amplifies brutal drought

Jon Bonné

Updated 11:23 am, Monday, August 25, 2014

Sunday's earthquake in Napa jolted 900-pound wine barrels from racks, damaged winery buildings and warehouses, and smashed bottles of the valley's best - a painful hit for an industry already struggling with the most severe drought in decades.

The Napa Valley Vintners trade group was collecting damage assessments from its members. The toll appeared to be worse at wineries close to downtown Napa and the quake's epicenter. But with more than 500 wineries in the region, a complete estimate of total damages to the valley's $13 billion industry could take at least another day. Many of the largest wineries were tight-lipped about their condition.

For some winemakers, losses will be significant, depending on where and how their wines were stored.

At Napa Barrel Care, a large warehouse for wine storage just south of the city, Carole Meredith and her husband, Steve Lagier, surveyed an array of tumbled barrels. "We're physically fine but emotionally shell-shocked," Meredith said. "It's just devastating."

"There is a lake of wine on the floor," Meredith said. Workers were siphoning the spilled wine into tanks just to clean the facility. Wines from the 2013 vintage are mostly still in barrel, and "there's just going to be huge losses," said Meredith, a former UC Davis vine geneticist who owns the Lagier Meredith winery on Mount Veeder.

Lucero Olive Oil shop manager David Gadlin, sweeps broken bottles of balsamic vinegar and olive oil that crashed to the floor of his shop in downtown Napa, California on August 24, 2014. California's governor declared a state of emergency Sunday following a strong 6.0-magnitude earthquake that seriously injured three people including a child and ignited fires in the scenic Napa valley wine region. The US Geological Service said that the quake was the most powerful to hit the San Francisco Bay area since the 1989 6.9-magnitude Loma Prieta earthquake. AFP PHOTO / Glen CHAPMANGLEN CHAPMAN/AFP/Getty Images less

Lucero Olive Oil shop manager David Gadlin, sweeps broken bottles of balsamic vinegar and olive oil that crashed to the floor of his shop in downtown Napa, California on August 24, 2014. California's governor ... more

Residents of Napa check out damage to a building at Third and Brown Streets in Napa, Calif., after a strong earthquake hit the San Francisco Bay Area centered near American Canyon on Sunday, August 24, 2014.

Residents of Napa check out damage to a building at Third and Brown Streets in Napa, Calif., after a strong earthquake hit the San Francisco Bay Area centered near American Canyon on Sunday, August 24, 2014.

Spectators survey the damage to a building at the corner of Brown Street and Second Street in Napa, California, after an earthquake measuring struck in the early morning of August 24, 2014.

Spectators survey the damage to a building at the corner of Brown Street and Second Street in Napa, California, after an earthquake measuring struck in the early morning of August 24, 2014.

Photo: Alvin Jornada, Special To The Chronicle

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Napa Public Works employees inspect a buckled section of pavement that ruptured a water main in a residential neighborhood after a magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck in the early morning of August 24, 2014, in Napa, California. less

Napa Public Works employees inspect a buckled section of pavement that ruptured a water main in a residential neighborhood after a magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck in the early morning of August 24, 2014, in ... more

Grace Bartlett reacts to damage and flooding near the McCaulou's department store in Napa, Calif., after a strong earthquake hit the San Francisco Bay Area centered near American Canyon, on Sunday, August 24, 2014. less

Grace Bartlett reacts to damage and flooding near the McCaulou's department store in Napa, Calif., after a strong earthquake hit the San Francisco Bay Area centered near American Canyon, on Sunday, August 24, ... more

City of Napa Fire Captain Steve Becker walks through smoldering rubble of a group of mobile homes that burned to the ground in the Napa Valley Mobile Home Park after a magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck in the early morning of August 24, 2014, in Napa, California. less

City of Napa Fire Captain Steve Becker walks through smoldering rubble of a group of mobile homes that burned to the ground in the Napa Valley Mobile Home Park after a magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck in the ... more

Photo: Alvin Jornada, Special To The Chronicle

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Makenna Harpe, left, age 13, and her mother Kelli talk with neighbors Kirsten and Toby Rompel as Toby snaps a photo of the buckled pavement on their street after a magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck in the early morning of August 24, 2014, in Napa, California. less

Makenna Harpe, left, age 13, and her mother Kelli talk with neighbors Kirsten and Toby Rompel as Toby snaps a photo of the buckled pavement on their street after a magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck in the early ... more

Napa County volunteer firefighters Mike Morisoli, left, and Steve Jones spray a mixture of water and foam on the remnants of a mobile home that caught fire and burned down after a magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck in the early morning of August 24, 2014, in Napa, California. less

Napa County volunteer firefighters Mike Morisoli, left, and Steve Jones spray a mixture of water and foam on the remnants of a mobile home that caught fire and burned down after a magnitude 6.0 earthquake ... more

Dan Sarna of the Vallejo Fire Department takes a photo of a collapsed roof on Georgia St. on Sunday, August 24, 2014 in Vallejo, Calif. A 6.0 earthquake rattled much of the Bay Area early Sunday morning.

Dan Sarna of the Vallejo Fire Department takes a photo of a collapsed roof on Georgia St. on Sunday, August 24, 2014 in Vallejo, Calif. A 6.0 earthquake rattled much of the Bay Area early Sunday morning.

Vintner Collective on Main Street in Napa, Calif., sustained major damage to its facade, but little inside damage according to the owner after a strong earthquake hit the San Francisco Bay Area centered near American Canyon, on Sunday, August 24, 2014. less

Vintner Collective on Main Street in Napa, Calif., sustained major damage to its facade, but little inside damage according to the owner after a strong earthquake hit the San Francisco Bay Area centered near ... more

New bride Tori Campbell holds up her wedding dress after she and her new husband Colin Campbell were forced to evacuate from the Andaz Napa Hotel in Napa, Calif., after a strong earthquake hit the San Francisco Bay Area centered near American Canyon, on Sunday, August 24, 2014. less

New bride Tori Campbell holds up her wedding dress after she and her new husband Colin Campbell were forced to evacuate from the Andaz Napa Hotel in Napa, Calif., after a strong earthquake hit the San Francisco ... more

Steve Brody inspects damage to the interior of his mobile home after am earthquake Sunday, Aug. 24, 2014, at the Napa Valley Mobile Home Park, in Napa, Calif. A large earthquake caused significant damage and left at least three critically injured in California's northern Bay Area early Sunday, igniting fires, sending at least 87 people to a hospital, knocking out power to tens of thousands and sending residents running out of their homes in the darkness. less

Steve Brody inspects damage to the interior of his mobile home after am earthquake Sunday, Aug. 24, 2014, at the Napa Valley Mobile Home Park, in Napa, Calif. A large earthquake caused significant damage and ... more

A mannequin lies on the sidewalks after it fell through a store window on First Street in Napa, Calif., after a strong earthquake hit the San Francisco Bay Area centered near American Canyon, on Sunday, August 24, 2014. less

A mannequin lies on the sidewalks after it fell through a store window on First Street in Napa, Calif., after a strong earthquake hit the San Francisco Bay Area centered near American Canyon, on Sunday, August ... more

Mike Kerr and Jennifer Marley walk past the damage to Vintners Collective in Napa, Calif., after a strong earthquake hit the San Francisco Bay Area centered near American Canyon, on Sunday, August 24, 2014.

Mike Kerr and Jennifer Marley walk past the damage to Vintners Collective in Napa, Calif., after a strong earthquake hit the San Francisco Bay Area centered near American Canyon, on Sunday, August 24, 2014.

Kevin Coursey walks through the Lucky's store in Napa, Calif., as cleanup was underway after a strong earthquake hit the San Francisco Bay Area centered near American Canyon, on Sunday, August 24, 2014.

Kevin Coursey walks through the Lucky's store in Napa, Calif., as cleanup was underway after a strong earthquake hit the San Francisco Bay Area centered near American Canyon, on Sunday, August 24, 2014.

Larry Helmle and his wife Jeri of Yorba Linda, wait outside the Andaz Napa Hotel in Napa, Calif., after they were evacuated following a strong earthquake hit the San Francisco Bay Area centered near American Canyon, on Sunday, August 24, 2014. less

Larry Helmle and his wife Jeri of Yorba Linda, wait outside the Andaz Napa Hotel in Napa, Calif., after they were evacuated following a strong earthquake hit the San Francisco Bay Area centered near American ... more

Police and residents survey the damage on First Street in Napa, Calif., as the morning light revealed the extent of damage after a strong earthquake hit the San Francisco Bay Area centered near American Canyon, on Sunday, August 24, 2014. less

Police and residents survey the damage on First Street in Napa, Calif., as the morning light revealed the extent of damage after a strong earthquake hit the San Francisco Bay Area centered near American Canyon, ... more

Residents survey damage as dawn reveals the aftermath of an earthquake in Napa, Calif., as a strong earthquake hit the San Francisco Bay Area centered near American Canyon522298, on Sunday, August 24, 2014.

Residents survey damage as dawn reveals the aftermath of an earthquake in Napa, Calif., as a strong earthquake hit the San Francisco Bay Area centered near American Canyon522298, on Sunday, August 24, 2014.

Jean Meehan looks over the damage to her JHM Stamp and Collectibles store following an earthquake Sunday, Aug. 24, 2014, in Napa, Calif. A large earthquake caused significant damage in California's northern Bay Area early Sunday, sending at least 70 people to a hospital, igniting fires, knocking out power to tens of thousands and sending residents running out of their homes in the darkness. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg) less

Jean Meehan looks over the damage to her JHM Stamp and Collectibles store following an earthquake Sunday, Aug. 24, 2014, in Napa, Calif. A large earthquake caused significant damage in California's northern Bay ... more

Photo: Eric Risberg, Associated Press

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Jorge Sanchez looks over damage to the main post office following an earthquake Sunday, Aug. 24, 2014, in Napa, Calif. A large earthquake caused significant damage in California's northern Bay Area early Sunday, sending at least 70 people to a hospital, igniting fires, knocking out power to tens of thousands and sending residents running out of their homes in the darkness. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg) less

Jorge Sanchez looks over damage to the main post office following an earthquake Sunday, Aug. 24, 2014, in Napa, Calif. A large earthquake caused significant damage in California's northern Bay Area early ... more

Photo: Eric Risberg, Associated Press

Image 45 of 71

Karina Mendez, left, age 13, and Natasha Tomson, age 12, look around as they watch a City of Napa Fire Department engine company spray water on a home caught on fire after an earthquake measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale struck in the early morning in Napa, California, on August 24, 2014. less

Karina Mendez, left, age 13, and Natasha Tomson, age 12, look around as they watch a City of Napa Fire Department engine company spray water on a home caught on fire after an earthquake measuring 6.0 on the ... more

Spectators survey the damage to a building at the corner of Brown Street and Second Street in Napa, California, after an earthquake measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale struck in the early morning of August 24, 2014. less

Spectators survey the damage to a building at the corner of Brown Street and Second Street in Napa, California, after an earthquake measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale struck in the early morning of August 24, ... more

Mike McGinnis removes a loose section of brick after part of a wall fell from the First United Methodist Church on Sonoma Boulevard in Vallejo, Calif. on Sunday, Aug. 24, 2014 after a 6.0 earthquake jolted the Bay Area. less

Mike McGinnis removes a loose section of brick after part of a wall fell from the First United Methodist Church on Sonoma Boulevard in Vallejo, Calif. on Sunday, Aug. 24, 2014 after a 6.0 earthquake jolted the ... more

Mike McGinnis removes a loose section of brick after part of a wall fell from the First United Methodist Church on Sonoma Boulevard in Vallejo, Calif. on Sunday, Aug. 24, 2014 after a 6.0 earthquake jolted the Bay Area. less

Mike McGinnis removes a loose section of brick after part of a wall fell from the First United Methodist Church on Sonoma Boulevard in Vallejo, Calif. on Sunday, Aug. 24, 2014 after a 6.0 earthquake jolted the ... more

Nina Quidit cleans up the Dollar Plus and Party Supplies Store in American Canyon Calif. after an earthquake on Sunday Aug. 24, 2014. Quidit and her husband were woken up in the early morning hours by the store's alarm company and immediately drove in to begin clean up. The 6.0-magnitude quake caused six significant fires, including at four mobile homes, Napa Division Fire Chief Darren Drake said. (AP Photo/Alex Washburn) less

Nina Quidit cleans up the Dollar Plus and Party Supplies Store in American Canyon Calif. after an earthquake on Sunday Aug. 24, 2014. Quidit and her husband were woken up in the early morning hours by the ... more

An expansion joint marker shows about an inch of movement on the offramp from Highway 37 to Sonoma Blvd. as a strong earthquake hit the San Francisco Bay Area centered near American Canyon, Calif., on Sunday, August 24, 2014. less

An expansion joint marker shows about an inch of movement on the offramp from Highway 37 to Sonoma Blvd. as a strong earthquake hit the San Francisco Bay Area centered near American Canyon, Calif., on Sunday, ... more

A CHP officer checks the offramp from Highway 37 to Sonoma Blvd. that was damaged as a strong earthquake hit the San Francisco Bay Area centered near American Canyon, Calif., on Sunday, August 24, 2014.

A CHP officer checks the offramp from Highway 37 to Sonoma Blvd. that was damaged as a strong earthquake hit the San Francisco Bay Area centered near American Canyon, Calif., on Sunday, August 24, 2014.

A CHP officer checks the offramp from Highway 37 to Sonoma Blvd. that was damaged as a strong earthquake hit the San Francisco Bay Area centered near American Canyon, Calif., on Sunday, August 24, 2014.

A CHP officer checks the offramp from Highway 37 to Sonoma Blvd. that was damaged as a strong earthquake hit the San Francisco Bay Area centered near American Canyon, Calif., on Sunday, August 24, 2014.

Melted siding sags off a mobile home which was next door to a mobile home that burned to the ground in the Napa Valley Mobile Home Park after a magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck in the early morning of August 24, 2014, in Napa, California. after a magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck in the early morning of August 24, 2014, in Napa, California. less

Melted siding sags off a mobile home which was next door to a mobile home that burned to the ground in the Napa Valley Mobile Home Park after a magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck in the early morning of August 24, ... more

Photo: Alvin Jornada, Special To The Chronicle

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Napa Valley Mobile Home Park resident Frank Jones sprays water on a hot spot where his neighbor's home burned to the ground after a magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck in the early morning of August 24, 2014, in Napa, California. less

Napa Valley Mobile Home Park resident Frank Jones sprays water on a hot spot where his neighbor's home burned to the ground after a magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck in the early morning of August 24, 2014, in ... more

Photo: Alvin Jornada, Special To The Chronicle

Image 67 of 71

One of the mobile homes that burned to the ground in the Napa Valley Mobile Home Park after a magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck in the early morning of August 24, 2014, in Napa, California.

One of the mobile homes that burned to the ground in the Napa Valley Mobile Home Park after a magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck in the early morning of August 24, 2014, in Napa, California.

Because the 2013 vintage was a particularly bountiful one, and many wines have yet to be released, the quake's impact may not be felt by wine consumers immediately. But for individual winemakers such as Meredith, "this is going to be a really expensive earthquake for the wine business."

Just outside the city of Napa, winemaker Steve Matthiasson and his wife, Jill, "almost got thrown off our bed." Outside, they found significant damage to their restored 1905 farmhouse.

Just as troubling was the state of his wine. Some barrels of his reds, which are stored at Silenus Vintners near his house just north of Napa, were toppled to the winery floor. He had yet to assess the full damage, but some bungs - the stoppers used to close wine barrels - had come out.

"Silenus is an ungodly mess," Matthiasson said. "Luckily most of the bungs are in them. I'm sure we lost some wine, but it's not a wipeout." His white wine, which is made at the Bin to Bottle facility near the Napa airport - near the epicenter - was unharmed.

Generally, wineries north of Oakville "seem to have much less disruption and damage," said Cate Conniff, communications manager for the vintners trade group.

One hopeful sign: Most wineries recently had bottled their 2012 wines. Cases of wine are often shrink-wrapped after being stacked on pallets for storage, and according to several winemakers, losses appeared to be minimal at the case-goods warehouses in southern Napa.

"We lost exactly one bottle of wine, and we've got 80,000 cases of wine here," said Michael Greenlee, CEO and president of Amedeo, a fulfillment company that stores and ships wine for about 190 mostly small winery clients.

That could be chalked up in part to seismic-approved metal racks and well-secured pallets, with only a few inches of room between them. "So not much room to move," Greenlee said.

The worst damage appeared to be concentrated farther south in the valley. Just north of Napa in the Oak Knoll area, damage was reported to the historic winery building at Trefethen Family Vineyards. Aaron Pott, winemaker for such wineries as Blackbird and Seven Stones, posted online photos from Oakville of toppled fermentation tanks and dozens of toppled barrels.

The quake occurred just as many winemakers are poised for the 2014 harvest, and any delay or disruption might affect how they complete the picking.

At Saintsbury, located on heavy soils in the Carneros area northwest of the airport, barrels tumbled to the floor - most were empty, said winemaker Chris Kajani. But Saintsbury's 30-year-old water tank jumped its foundation, leaving the winery without water and delaying its planned grape picks. Crushing grapes requires significant amounts of water to clean equipment.

While Saintsbury lost almost no new wine, it did sustain a heavy loss to its collection of vintages from the 1980s and '90s. "When I opened up the library, it was like a foot deep in glass," Kajani said.

And the winery, like many in Napa, had a particular saving grace: 80-kilowatt solar panels, which provided power despite widespread outages.

In his house near Napa, grape grower Larry Hyde sat in the morning hours without electricity, trying to get his battery-powered computer working.

He had yet to hear from picking crews for his 180-acre vineyard in the Carneros area. The workers would have begun harvesting around midnight, Hyde said, but were likely interrupted by the lack of power.

"It shook my house pretty hard," Hyde said. "The kitchen's a mess with the cupboards all open. I don't even want to go in the cellar."

The valley's robust restaurant industry was also affected.

"It's not a pretty day in Napa. That's for sure," says Marion Emmanuelle of the Thomas and Fagiani's, the downtown Napa restaurant and bar where there's "a lot of broken everything." The next step is the engineers' assessment of structural damage.

Many downtown Napa restaurants, including the Thomas, were closed Sunday. Farther up the valley, it was closer to business as usual. In Yountville, Bouchon, Bouchon Bakery and Ciccio were open, among others, while Ad Hoc and Redd were still without power Sunday. St. Helena and Calistoga had similar intermittent power outages.